[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62629-62631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24032]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19449; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes equipped 
with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines. This proposed AD would 
require, for each engine, replacing, with a tube assembly, the existing 
hose assembly that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main 
oil circuit. This proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that, 
for each engine, the existing hose assembly does not meet zero-flow 
fireproof capability requirements. We are proposing this AD to prevent, 
if there is an engine fire, failure of the oil pressure indicator and 
the low-oil pressure warning, which could result in an unannounced 
shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed the engine 
fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 13, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 
627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

[[Page 62630]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19449; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-07-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, on certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, the hose assembly that 
connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil circuit on Pratt 
& Whitney PW4000 series engines does not meet zero-flow fireproof 
capability requirements. An oil line in this location should have zero-
flow fireproofing, but the existing hose assembly provides only low-
flow fireproofing. Low-flow fireproofing, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the oil pressure indicator and the low-oil 
pressure warning if there is an engine fire, which could result in an 
unannounced shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed 
the engine fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008, dated 
December 11, 2001. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacing the existing hose assemblies that connect the oil pressure 
transmitters to the main oil circuit, with tube assemblies. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for testing the engine oil system 
after the replacement. Accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition.
    The service bulletin refers to Pratt & Whitney Alert Service 
Bulletin PW4MD11 A79-9, dated October 25, 2001, as an additional source 
of service information for replacing the hose assemblies.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require, for each engine, replacing the existing hose assembly 
that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil circuit, 
with a tube assembly. The proposed AD would require you to use the 
Boeing service information described previously to perform these 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 76 airplanes worldwide, and 34 
airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated 
costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Number of
                                               Average                        Cost per      U.S.
             Action              Work hours  labor rate         Parts         airplane   registered   Fleet cost
                                               per hour                                   airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement....................          2         $65   No charge.........       $130          34        $4,420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES

[[Page 62631]]

section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2004-19449; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-07-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by December 13, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008, 
dated December 11, 2001; certificated in any category; equipped with 
Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, for each 
engine, the existing hose assembly that connects the oil pressure 
transmitter to the main oil circuit does not meet zero-flow 
fireproof capability requirements. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent, if there is an engine fire, failure of the oil pressure 
indicator and the low-oil pressure warning, which could result in an 
unannounced shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed 
the engine fire.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Replacement of Hose Assemblies

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: For 
each engine, replace the existing hose assembly, part number (P/N) 
113286, that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil 
circuit, with tube assembly P/N 221-5318-501. Do the replacement in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-79A008, dated December 11, 2001.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008 refers to 
Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4MD11 A79-9, dated October 
25, 2001, as an additional source of service information for 
replacing the hose assemblies.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24032 Filed 10-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P